Argentina and Uruguay strengthen health cooperation as El Niño risks rise

Health officials from Argentina and Uruguay met at the Hospital Dr. Alejandro Korn to strengthen cooperation on healthcare systems. Buenos Aires Health Minister Nicolás Kreplak and Uruguayan Public Health Minister Cristina Lustemberg discussed priority policies, including healthcare workforce distribution, emergency systems, and mental health transformation. Key topics included the expansion of nursing education in Buenos Aires and the province's de-institutionalization policy, which has moved 70% of long-term patients into community housing.

Separately, Argentine national health and economic officials, including Mario Lugones and Pablo Lavigne, met with private sector representatives to coordinate the supply of insect repellents. This meeting aims to prepare for the El Niño phenomenon, which may increase the circulation of mosquitoes carrying dengue, chikungunya, and other arboviruses. The government is implementing a real-time monitoring center and mosquito breeding site elimination plans, while the private sector has confirmed sufficient production capacity to meet potential increases in demand.